Tag: Inspiration
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Breaking Strongholds
Are you carrying a weight on your shoulders? Is there something with which you’ve battled for years but feel like you can’t break free? It feels like a stronghold—a prison—and no matter how hard you try, escape seems impossible. In Luke 13, Jesus sees a woman who “had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen…
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Challenge & Change
I enjoy many things, and one of them is exercise. You might even call me an exercise enthusiast. Yes, it’s true. I get excited by some workouts and consider it fun to exercise on vacation. After doing track in college, and weightlifting in the gym for years after, I wanted to try something different. A…
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Victory in Jesus: 7 Keys to Overcoming Temptation
In this life, we will encounter temptation. 1 John 2:16 says, “For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.” The good news? We have victory over these temptations through Jesus! Jesus set the perfect example for…
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A Straight Path to God
Jesus came into the world as the long-awaited Messiah, a title which means “anointed one.” Although, He wasn’t quite what people expected. The Jews were awaiting a king, from David’s family tree, who would free them from Rome’s tyranny. Many expected a warrior king who would be a military leader, but that’s not what Jesus…
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He Remembers
Have you ever felt overlooked or forgotten? Perhaps it seems like God is distant and doesn’t hear your countless prayers. Maybe it feels like nobody knows how you feel, or like the world is against you, and when people mention God, you can’t help but wonder if He really has a plan. Sometimes in life,…
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More Charm? Yes, Please!
Great news! I’ve added a new feature to my blog (drumroll please): BOOK REVIEWS! As my first victim—I mean guest—I’ve chosen Just Let Go, by Courtney Walsh. Several months ago, I decided I’d like to read more inspirational romance novels in order to support other Christian authors and be more knowledgeable about that genre. That’s…
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Special Moments
When going through belongings from my childhood bedroom, I found among them something very special. It was a speech I had written and presented at my end-of-season track & field banquet as a senior in high school. This speech, written as a poem, depicts memories of my time on the team and offers some advice…
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Don’t Lose Hope
Don’t lose hope. The world will try to tell you that miracles are impossible. It will try to force you to conform to its limitations and forget who you’re created to be. It will lie to you, and tell you that wealth, fame, promotions–that next big thing–will satisfy the longing in your heart. It will…
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Catching Fire
While reading Acts chapter eight this past Friday, several things stuck out. The book of Acts is rather inspiring: people, filled with the Holy Spirit, following God with complete abandon. They don’t worry about pleasing people. They aren’t stopped by fear of torture or death. They know the truth, and that truth comes flowing out…
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Burning Rubber & Saving Grace
I once heard someone use an analogy like the following to explain grace. Imagine you’re driving down a country road. Noticing nobody else around, you stomp on the gas pedal and start burning rubber, eager to arrive at your destination. After several minutes, you hear the alarming sound of sirens as flashing lights appear in…
Caitlin M. Smith 